Garage Door Spring Mechanism Basics to Ensure Safety

Professional garage repairmen are competent at what they do because they understand the function of each part. For example, they know that torsion springs serve as counterweight so that the door is easy enough to manage. Heavy doors will not open or close easily without springs. Knowing the function of torsion springs, and the risks involved during garage door spring repairs, they exercise the necessary precautions. There have been many injuries while attempting repairs on overhead doors.

Before you even try learning about torsion springs first, Elite Garage Repairs suggests you know what they are and how they work.

How Torsion Spring Mechanisms Work

In many garage doors, horizontally mounted steel springs control the tension during closing and opening. Some doors have one spring, while others have two. The springs wind up as the door closes, and unwind as the door opens. When the spring winds up it stored energy, and when it unwinds, it releases energy that powers the door so that vehicles and people can enter.

This counterbalance system typically consists of a cable drum and wound spring ensemble. The supporting structures consist of three plates — two on both ends and one at the center. In time, the springs may give way due to wear and tear. In some instances, the springs break suddenly, unable to carry the weight, and the door becomes stuck.

How Extension Spring Systems Open and Close a Heavy Door

The main difference between extension and torsion spring systems is that the spring stretches when the door closes. A pair of springs runs parallel to the tracks. The safety cable that runs through the mechanism keeps people safe around garage doors. Nevertheless, if an extension spring breaks suddenly, and someone is in the vicinity, they can suffer from grave physical injury. After a time, it may be necessary to make an adjustment on one of the springs to sustain the counterbalance mechanism.

Having a broken or poorly adjusted garage door spring should be deemed a risky situation. Allow only professionals to handle these situations.